Delaware Teachers Institute

Have you registered yet!? There's still time!

The University of Delaware is partnering with the Delaware Department of Education to host a Digital Citizenship and Education Symposium on Saturday, January 31, 2026 and you should be there! It's going to be packed with sessions designed for K–12 educators, UD faculty, and administrators.

You’ll dive into what the Delaware Digital Citizenship Education Act actually means for schools, why it matters, and how to bring it to life in your classrooms. Teaching about disinformation, distraction and AI is critically important at all grade levels. Expect hands-on tools, fresh strategies, and a showcase of creative lessons from DTI Fellows. There are breakout sessions, student presentations, and plenty of chances to swap ideas with other educators. Plus, you’ll walk away with seven professional development credits.

If you’re looking to boost your digital citizenship instruction and leave with practical, ready-to-use resources, this is the place to be.

Registere here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2rBlikgYdsqQwWonbvZUOdtyFghvfAisnsM2Pel_fIU0osg/viewform

Have you registered yet!? There's still time! The University of Delaware is partnering with the Delaware Department of Education to host a Digital Citizenship and Education Symposium on Saturday, January 31, 2026 and you should be there! It's going to be packed with sessions designed for K–12 educators, UD faculty, and administrators. You’ll dive into what the Delaware Digital Citizenship Education Act actually means for schools, why it matters, and how to bring it to life in your classrooms. Teaching about disinformation, distraction and AI is critically important at all grade levels. Expect hands-on tools, fresh strategies, and a showcase of creative lessons from DTI Fellows. There are breakout sessions, student presentations, and plenty of chances to swap ideas with other educators. Plus, you’ll walk away with seven professional development credits. If you’re looking to boost your digital citizenship instruction and leave with practical, ready-to-use resources, this is the place to be. Register now with the link in our bio!

Shaniq is a dedicated mom and wife, and a 35-year-old mother of four—three boys and one girl—whose life and values were shaped by being raised by her grandparents and a single mother. She is currently in her eighth year of teaching, a profession she chose out of a deep commitment to children and her community. She strives to teach through everyday life experiences by being relatable and creating a fun, engaging classroom. She is committed to building a safe, supportive environment that feels like home, where students feel valued, respected, and confident.

As a teacher, she proudly serve as a “mom away from home,” nurturing not only academic growth but also students’ emotional well-being so they feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Shaniq became an educator to help students—particularly within the Black community—understand that success is attainable and that their circumstances do not define their potential. For her, teaching is rooted in love: love for children, learning, and the powerful moment when students begin to believe in themselves. Witnessing that growth in confidence and self-worth is the most rewarding part of her work as an educator.

Shaniq is a dedicated mom and wife, and a 35-year-old mother of four—three boys and one girl—whose life and values were shaped by being raised by her grandparents and a single mother. She is currently in her eighth year of teaching, a profession she chose out of a deep commitment to children and her community. She strives to teach through everyday life experiences by being relatable and creating a fun, engaging classroom. She is committed to building a safe, supportive environment that feels like home, where students feel valued, respected, and confident. As a teacher, she proudly serve as a “mom away from home,” nurturing not only academic growth but also students’ emotional well-being so they feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Shaniq became an educator to help students—particularly within the Black community—understand that success is attainable and that their circumstances do not define their potential. For her, teaching is rooted in love: love for children, learning, and the powerful moment when students begin to believe in themselves. Witnessing that growth in confidence and self-worth is the most rewarding part of her work as an educator.

Caitlin currently teaches 7th-grade mathematics to students receiving Special Education Services in the Christina School District at Gauger Cobbs Middle School. She has been in this role for four years and previously taught in Maryland schools, including the Cecil Alternative Program. A 2024-2025 DTI Fellow, Caitlin is passionate about empowering students to push beyond their limits, strive for continuous improvement, and develop independence in their learning, regardless of their abilities. She holds a Master’s in Special Education from Wilmington University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. In addition to teaching math, she has her own horseback riding program where she teaches kids how to ride/drive and handle horses!

Caitlin currently teaches 7th-grade mathematics to students receiving Special Education Services in the Christina School District at Gauger Cobbs Middle School. She has been in this role for four years and previously taught in Maryland schools, including the Cecil Alternative Program. A 2024-2025 DTI Fellow, Caitlin is passionate about empowering students to push beyond their limits, strive for continuous improvement, and develop independence in their learning, regardless of their abilities. She holds a Master’s in Special Education from Wilmington University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. In addition to teaching math, she has her own horseback riding program where she teaches kids how to ride/drive and handle horses!

Excellent start!

We are proud to announce that 6 of our DTI Fellows have been named Yale National Fellows for 2025!

Tara Brady, Brandywine
Holly Bryk, Red Clay Consolidated
Josefa Castelli, Brandywine
Kariann Flynn, Red Clay Consolidated
Alyssa Lucadamo, Brandywine
Stacy-Ann Morrison Thomas, Red Clay Consolidated

The Fellows will participate in one of Yale's national seminars led by Yale faculty and create a curriculum unit based on their own research to teach in their classroom. After attending a two-day orientation session at Yale University in May, they will return for a two-week intensive session in July where their seminars meet daily and they conduct research in the Yale Libraries. In November they will return for Yale's Annual Conference which celebrates the Fellows for completing the program. Upon completing the program, each Fellow receives a stipend and has their curriculum unit published on Yale's website.

We are proud to announce that 6 of our DTI Fellows have been named Yale National Fellows for 2025! Tara Brady, Brandywine Holly Bryk, Red Clay Consolidated Josefa Castelli, Brandywine Kariann Flynn, Red Clay Consolidated Alyssa Lucadamo, Brandywine Stacy-Ann Morrison Thomas, Red Clay Consolidated Congratulations! The Fellows will participate in one of Yale's national seminars led by Yale faculty and create a curriculum unit based on their own research to teach in their classroom. After attending a two-day orientation session at Yale University in May, they will return for a two-week intensive session in July where their seminars meet daily and they conduct research in the Yale Libraries. In November they will return for Yale's Annual Conference which celebrates the Fellows for completing the program. Upon completing the program, each Fellow receives a stipend and has their curriculum unit published on Yale's website.

Featured Fellow Highlight!
Rasheida is an elementary school teacher with over 30 years experience. She began her teaching career working for the board of education of New York City.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a Master of Science in early childhood education, a Certificate of Advanced study in educational leadership, and most recently just completed her coursework for her TESOL (teacher of English speakers of other languages) certification.
A lifelong learner, she is always seeking ways to cultivate her teaching skills in order to help her students so the best of her ability.

Rasheida is an elementary school teacher with over 30 years experience. She began her teaching career working for the board of education of New York City. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a Master of Science in early childhood education, a Certificate of Advanced study in educational leadership, and most recently just completed her coursework for her TESOL (teacher of English speakers of other languages) certification. A lifelong learner, she is always seeking ways to cultivate her teaching skills in order to help her students so the best of her ability.

Kariann is an English language arts and English language development teacher of multilingual learners in grades 6-12 at The John Dickinson School in Wilmington, Delaware. She is completing her eighth year as an MLL teacher. She would say that the best part of her job as an MLL teacher is seeing her students develop into more confident thinkers and proficient multilingual communicators to achieve their goals after high school.

Kariann is an English language arts and English language development teacher of multilingual learners in grades 6-12 at The John Dickinson School in Wilmington, Delaware. She is completing her eighth year as an MLL teacher. She would say that the best part of her job as an MLL teacher is seeing her students develop into more confident thinkers and proficient multilingual communicators to achieve their goals after high school.

Camille is a third-year educator at William Penn High School in the Colonial School District. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in US History from West Chester University and a M.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Wilmington University. As a legal and public services teacher, she prepares students for careers as emergency responders and public servants, constantly seeking opportunities to equip them for their ‘first choice’ career. Through her role at William Penn, Camille has worked to improve equitable access to dual enrollment opportunities for students and is contributing to Delaware's model legal studies curriculum. She is most proud of piloting Colonial’s first legal studies work-based learning program, providing students with hands-on experience through court proceedings and collaborations with local police departments.

Camille is a third-year educator at William Penn High School in the Colonial School District. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in US History from West Chester University and a M.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Wilmington University. As a legal and public services teacher, she prepares students for careers as emergency responders and public servants, constantly seeking opportunities to equip them for their ‘first choice’ career. Through her role at William Penn, Camille has worked to improve equitable access to dual enrollment opportunities for students and is contributing to Delaware's model legal studies curriculum. She is most proud of piloting Colonial’s first legal studies work-based learning program, providing students with hands-on experience through court proceedings and collaborations with local police departments.

Last week one of our seminar leaders, Carla Guerron-Montero, had her Fellows get together at one of UD's food labs to make Nabataean Chicken. Carla's seminar explores the relationship between food, culture, identity, and power dynamics. This recipe was from the book “Cumin, Camels, and Caravans: A Spice Odyssey” by Gary Paul Nabhan which ties so perfectly into the seminar by investigating the rich history, culture and science of spices and the impact they have on human civilization. The book connects the historical journeys of the spice trade with modern-day efforts to preserve the cultural and ecological significance of spices.
And, yes, it was incredibly tasty and wonderfully fragrant.